Beast Taming: I Have an Immortal Mansion

This was Fang Qingyuan executing the Vertical Earth Golden Light Divine Movement Technique. He had possessed this Cultivation Technique for nearly a decade, and with years of practice, he could now use it to burrow almost thirty zhang underground.

Seeing the technique take effect, Fang Qingyuan leaped down with Jinbao, descending to a depth of thirty zhang.

Once underground, a look of pure bliss spread across Jinbao’s bearish face. It seemed the Gold Spirit Power in this area was quite agreeable to it.

Dispelling the technique, Fang Qingyuan summoned his Turtle Shell Spirit Shield to hold back the immense pressure of the earth. He then took a sample of the surrounding soil and began to analyze the ore vein before him.

Fang Qingyuan wasn’t an expert in analyzing ore veins. He only had a rudimentary understanding of certain ores from the various Ore Spiritual Materials he had collected during two merchant runs to the Sea of Death.

The unconsolidated Spirit Vein Ore Soil contained very little Spirit Ore. Fang Qingyuan repeatedly used his Vertical Earth Technique, digging down to a depth of one to two hundred zhang. He traversed back and forth over a distance of four or five li, taking soil samples from multiple locations before he finally identified the type of ore present.

Looking at the reddish ore soil in his hand, a flash of joy crossed Fang Qingyuan’s face. This was a vein of Crimson Iron Ore, and based on his recent underground surveys, he had discovered that the reserves were substantial.

Crimson Iron Ore was the lowest grade of spiritual material, but it was in high demand and was considered one of the most widely used spiritual materials in cultivation.

Ten jin of refined Crimson Iron sold for only a single Low-grade Spirit Stone, a testament to how cheap it was.

However, based on his recent estimates, if the Crimson Iron here was fully mined, it would amount to a staggering three to four hundred thousand tons.

This was a colossal fortune. Converted into Spirit Stones, it would yield seventy to eighty million of them.

’This fortune is too immense,’ he thought, his heart pounding. ’Given my current standing, I won’t be able to protect it.’

With this realization, Fang Qingyuan abandoned any further prospecting. He flew back to Yuanling Mountain with Jinbao in all haste, went straight to Jiang Kui, and told her all about his discovery.

Jiang Kui was initially delighted by the news, but then her brow furrowed in thought. She rose and paced the room before finally speaking.

"Where is this mine located?"

Fang Qingyuan thought for a moment. He and Jinbao had been searching everywhere for the past month. By the time they finally located the Crimson Iron vein, they were already near the edge of the Wilderness Forest.

The Crimson Iron deposit was a mere thirty li from the border of the Wilderness Forest. On the surface, the only sign was a slightly reddish patch of ground just a few zhang across. It was no wonder it had gone undiscovered for so long.

After Fang Qingyuan revealed the location, Jiang Kui pondered for a moment. She was reluctant to give it up, but she feared losing people if she sent them to mine it. At present, Yuanling Mountain only had three people who could be deployed, and none of them were a good fit for the task.

After mulling it over, Jiang Kui still couldn’t come up with a solution. Just then, Fang Qingyuan spoke up.

"A Crimson Iron deposit this massive is too much for our Yuanling Mountain to handle alone. We should partner with the sect. We can have Lechuan send people over. They can take the lion’s share, and we’ll get a piece of the pie."

Hearing Fang Qingyuan’s suggestion, Jiang Kui finally sighed in resignation.

"It seems that’s our only option. ’Innocence is no crime, but possessing a treasure is.’ We’d be fine if we left the vein untouched. But if we start digging and get discovered... being disciples of the Beast Taming Sect won’t matter. Faced with such an enormous fortune, even the Great Zhou Academy wouldn’t be able to protect us."

Having reached an agreement, Fang Qingyuan went to fetch Zhang Yuan. Upon learning of the matter, Zhang Yuan was simply overjoyed and had no objections.

So, leaving Zhang Yuan to look after their home once more, Fang Qingyuan and Jiang Kui set out for Celestial Gate Mountain again, three months after their last visit.

...

「Three days later.」

Fang Qingyuan arrived at Celestial Gate Mountain and was summoned into the Grand Council Hall without much of a wait.

When Fang Qingyuan arrived before the hall, he saw that all seven Foundation Establishment Cultivators of the Southern Border Beast Taming Sect were present. Jiang Kui was seated in the last position, and she gave him a reassuring glance as he entered.

Five years had passed, but Lechuan looked exactly the same. The passage of time seemed to have left no mark on him.

As soon as Lechuan saw Fang Qingyuan enter, he asked directly,

"You say you’ve discovered a Crimson Iron Ore deposit with massive reserves? And this vein is near the Wilderness Forest?"

Hearing Lechuan’s question, Fang Qingyuan didn’t dare hesitate. He recounted his findings in full detail, and after finishing, he retrieved the soil sample of Crimson Iron Ore from his storage bag and presented it to Lechuan.

Lechuan took a pinch of the soil between his fingers and knew at once that it was genuine. It was still damp, consistent with having been recently excavated.

Tossing the soil aside, Lechuan spoke.

"The report is genuine. You have no reason to lie to me, kid. Let’s discuss this. Who is willing to take charge of this matter?"

The seven Foundation Establishment Cultivators in the hall, excluding Jiang Kui, exchanged glances and then fell silent.

The mine was a great opportunity, but being sent to guard it was not. Life on Celestial Gate Mountain was prestigious and comfortable; why would anyone want to run thousands of li away to a mining pit and eat dust?

By staying within the sect, they would still receive their share of the mined Crimson Iron. Even if they could personally skim a little extra by overseeing the operation, it wasn’t worth the trouble of leaving Celestial Gate Mountain and their proximity to Lechuan.

After a moment of silence, Lechuan’s expression soured. Just as he looked about to lose his temper, Jiang Kui stood up and spoke.

"Sect Head, this vein is located near my Yuanling Mountain. I am willing to be stationed there. That way, I can return to Yuanling Mountain for a few days when I have time. It would be far more inconvenient for my senior brothers, who live so far away."

As she said this, the expressions of Zhao Liangde and several other Foundation Establishment Cultivators visibly relaxed. Lechuan, however, spoke up.

"Jiang Kui is the youngest, yet she’s always considerate of you, her senior brothers. Every one of you is decades older than her. How can you let your youngest junior sister go to a mining pit to eat dust?"

After Lechuan spoke, Zhao Liangde, head of Miscellaneous Affairs Peak, and Qu Jianyan, head of Instructor Peak, remained expressionless. They both had fixed responsibilities, so this task wouldn’t fall to either of them.

The remaining four Foundation Establishment Cultivators exchanged glances. Finally, the eldest among them, Shen Wulei, spoke up.

"I am willing to go and assist Junior Sister Jiang Kui. I will ease Master’s burden and ensure this Crimson Iron mine is managed properly to increase the sect’s revenue."

Seeing Shen Wulei step forward, Lechuan finally smiled.

"With you taking charge, Wulei, I can rest easy. Take plenty of manpower with you. The location is close to the Wilderness Forest. With large-scale mining operations, I’m afraid the demonic beasts within will be drawn out and cause trouble."

Shen Wulei nodded in acknowledgment and stepped back, saying no more.

Fang Qingyuan watched Uncle Shen Wulei from the corner of his eye. This Uncle Shen was in charge of patrols on Celestial Gate Mountain and was known for his hard-line personality. His cultivation was also quite high; he had been at the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage Sixth Layer for over a decade and possessed a Tier 2, high-grade War Beast, making him a formidable fighter.

’Lechuan is sending him not only to deal with demonic beasts from the Wilderness Forest,’ Fang Qingyuan mused, ’but probably also to deter other sects.’

This was for the best, however. It meant he and Jiang Kui wouldn’t have to be on the front lines for every issue. It was a scenario they had already anticipated.

Once that matter was settled, Fang Qingyuan was dismissed. The remaining discussions were not for him to be a part of.

Half a day later, Jiang Kui emerged, her expression calm. Fang Qingyuan approached her and asked,

"Any complications?"

Jiang Kui shook her head, then asked,

"You mentioned before that I could find an Earth Tier Water Element Technique on the third floor of the Scripture Pavilion? Is it too late to go see Zhao Liangde about it now?"

...

「Half a month later.」

A massive fleet of beast-vessels set out from Celestial Gate Mountain, heading majestically toward Yuanling Mountain.

A dozen enormous Flying Manta Rays carried over a hundred Qi Cultivation Cultivators and countless supplies. After traveling for three days, Yuanling Mountain was already visible in the distance.

Shen Wulei stood atop the head of the largest Flying Manta Ray, his gaze dark as he stared at Yuanling Mountain in the distance. He glanced back at Jiang Kui and Fang Qingyuan, who were riding on Yinbao, and let out a cold snort.

As they were not at his level, neither Jiang Kui nor Fang Qingyuan noticed the gesture of a Foundation Establishment Sixth Layer Cultivator, but Jinbao did. It sidled up to Fang Qingyuan, secretly tugged on his sleeve, and made a series of gestures.

Fang Qingyuan’s expression changed slightly. After a few breaths, he acted as if nothing had happened. He whispered a few words to Jiang Kui, then signaled for Yinbao to accelerate and fly on ahead toward Yuanling Mountain.